The week will explore Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). In this movie, freedom is an important theme. The characters are restrained for various reasons, and each one has an idea of what freedom looks like. Let’s take a look! Elizabeth’s (Keira Knightley) freedom is being removed from the constraints of society, including marrying the lowly blacksmith William Turner (Orlando Bloom). She wants to make her own decisions, not be limited by her station in society. Will’s freedoms also lies with Elizabeth. However, he also desires respect and recognition as a blacksmith. He makes the swords, but the credit lies with his master/teacher. Therefore, freedom for Will is being independent as a skilled creator, not just relying on his mentor. The pirates of the Black Pearl want to be free of their curse from Cortez’s gold. After spilling “the blood of William Turner”, they will be living which means they can eat, drink, and be marry once again.

Photo from Fan Pop.

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) sees his freedom as a ship, specifically the Black Pearl. He says, “What a ship is… What the Black Pearl really is…is freedom!” He needs a ship and the ocean to be free. Then Jack and Elizabeth toast “to freedom” because that is what they truly want. Even death in the end is a sort of freedom. Jack is released from his grudge against Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) by shooting him after the curse lifts. Captain Barbossa is released from death on earth to death in the afterlife. Everyone has something confining them. Finding the freedom we has humans seek can lead us to what we want, or something entirely new. Freedom is not the only theme present in this movie. Consider what else is going on. And yet another drinking game to a children’s movie! Ha! How appropriate! "But why is the rum gone?!" Thanks for reading! “Drink up me hardies! Yo ho!”